Why do we fall in love with films or certain books? Why do we cry to song lyrics, or get chills up our spines when viewing a classic piece of artwork? There’s an unspoken power behind artistic expression, and even as a method actress myself, I recently found my heart, mind and soul completely moved from the production, acting and screen-write behind the film Brooklyn.
Art, though unique in its own form, always fosters connection. As a Dublin girl, it might seem obvious why I was sold on the story behind this film, but my appeal to the plot and the main character, Eilis, played by Saoirse Ronan, stems so much deeper than what meets the eye. Brooklyn tells the story of a determined, young Irish girl, who experiences a whirlwind of emotion when she moves to the ‘Big City’ to capture her dreams. The world of opportunity at her feet is shadowed by the guilt of leaving behind her family, and even when love and romance brings her new light, her happiness is quickly shattered by the death of her sister.
As Eilis struggles to find the balance between her roots and wings, I found myself deeply reflecting where I am today, and the hard work I continue to put in to turning my dreams into a reality here in New York. Like Eilis, through adversity, I have come to develop a very peculiar take on heartache and pain. You see, the bizarre thing about pain is that you’re supposed to feel it! Life isn’t easy!
Every high wouldn’t matter without the low, and each day that I am blessed with new opportunity I find my mind drifting to past battles I have overcome to get to this point. My brother was taken before his time at a young age, and it is a heartache my family will never fully recover from. I was forced to grow up faster than most and even took on a parental role when my mother was too weak and devastated from our lost. Though I nearly lost sight of my dreams, I remained driven and focused to grow into the actress I am today.
Though I feared leaving my family behind, I knew that I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to chase my dreams in the concrete jungle. What I’ve come to realize in my recent success is not to focus on those negative ‘what ifs’ and ‘why nots.’ Life is about giving before taking, laughing before crying, and loving before losing. Every moment I feel guilty or homesick, I have to remind myself that I have given my whole heart and soul to my family, and I know my brother is watching over my shoulder on every step of my journey. He would want me to chase my dreams, and like the character of Eilis, it’s so important to keep perspective and remember to stay focused even through immeasurable heartache.
You are meant to be on the path you are on. Sacrifice breeds success, and though death is never fair, I know that there are so many loved ones guiding us on our journeys. Brooklyn truly reminded me of the beauty of life and the unique journey we are on, and I am so eager to pour my whole heart into my upcoming roles, to evoke that similar emotion. If you have not yet seen this film, I urge you to get to a theatre and experience this wonderful tale that hit so deeply to my heart.